2 Kings 8:20-24·~1 min

Edom and Libnah Rebel

During Jehoram’s days, Edom rebels against Judah and sets up its own king. Jehoram attacks by night when surrounded, but the revolt holds, and Libnah also breaks away.

I²⁰n the days of Jehoram, Edom rebelled against the hand of Judah and appointed their own king. ²¹So Jehoram crossed over to Zair with all his chariots. When the Edomites surrounded him and his chariot commanders, he rose up and attacked by night. His troops, however, fled to their homes. ²²So to this day Edom has been in rebellion against the hand of Judah. Likewise, Libnah rebelled at the same time.

The record turns briefly to the rest of Jehoram’s acts, then to his death and burial in the City of David. After him, Ahaziah becomes king.

²³As for the rest of the acts of Jehoram, along with all his accomplishments, are they not written in the book of the Chronicles of the Kings of Judah? ²⁴And Jehoram rested with his fathers and was buried with them in the City of David. And his son Ahaziah reigned in his place.

Section summaryJehoram’s reign is marked by fracture as Edom breaks from Judah and Libnah follows in revolt. His night attack brings no lasting recovery, and the section closes with the usual record of deeds, burial, and succession.

Role in the chapterThis section shows the outward weakening of Judah under Jehoram. The political losses give historical shape to the moral failure already named and move the chapter toward another compromised king.